Jolie applauded for reducing mastectomy terror

Like the actress, Pinto, 31, made the same decision three years ago after learning she faced an 87 percent chance of developing breast cancer because she carries a mutation of the BRCA1 gene.

Pinto was among Orange County patients, doctors and breast cancer advocates who applauded Jolie, 37, for publicly sharing her surgery and reconstruction Tuesday in a New York Times op-ed piece.

"As I read it and saw it on TV I definitely just thought of my story and felt like that's exactly what I went through," said Pinto, who lives in Laguna Niguel. "Regardless that she's a celebrity, it hit so close to home. For someone as young as Angelina and someone like myself, we have our entire life to live and be with our spouses and be in bathing suits and feel good about ourselves."

Dr. Alice Police, a Costa Mesa surgical oncologist, said she hopes Jolie's announcement will help women who have the mutation but are terrified of losing their breasts.

"It's exactly what I would recommend to a similar patient. When patients have a known BRCA mutation, it's a matter of when, not if, for breast cancer," Police said. "Somebody glamorous and beautiful having the operation and choosing health over potential cosmetic problems is a really good role model."

Police also has patients who are fearful of knowing their BRCA status.

"I counsel them that the psychological studies on genetic mutation testing shows that if you test and get results back, the anxiety level in that patient population is lower whether the patient is positive or negative," Police said. "The fact that she tested and acted on the results, I really think that's going to help a lot of people."

In her essay, Jolie wrote that her mother died of cancer at 56 and that she "made a strong choice that in no way diminishes my femininity."

"I wanted to write this to tell other women that the decision to have a mastectomy was not easy," Jolie wrote. "But it is one I am very happy that I made. My chances of developing breast cancer have dropped from 87 percent to under 5 percent. I can tell my children that they don't need to fear they will lose me to breast cancer."

Seven years ago, Pinto's mother was diagnosed with breast cancer at 51. She had a family history of breast and ovarian cancer and tested positive for the mutation. She had her breasts and ovaries removed and is doing well.

Pinto and her younger sister decided to get tested in their early 20s.

"I didn't even hesitate," Pinto said. "I'm a very straightforward person. I like to know the truth and know my options."

Both results came back with the mutation. Pinto's sister, Jodi Rifkin, has decided to wait to have children before removing her breasts. With the support of her husband, Pinto decided to act sooner. She is now pregnant with their first child.

"The destiny of my life was in my hands," she said. "I really wanted the certainty in my life. I just refused to wait around for cancer to change or take my life."

Three years ago, Pinto underwent a 15-hour surgery during which her breasts were removed and replaced with implants, as well as muscle and tissue from her back. She opted for a longer, more involved surgery so she could have the entire procedure done all at once. Her surgery and reconstruction were covered by insurance.

"It has really come a long way," she said. "They can make you pretty whole. They can make you feel and look like you did before."

Pinto, a financial manager, missed two months of work but never doubted her decision. She expects that like Jolie, she will eventually remove her ovaries to reduce her risk of ovarian cancer.

Rifkin, 28, who lives in Chicago, spoke to her sister about Jolie's announcement. Until she has surgery, she must undergo breast MRIs every six months and has had two biopsies.

"I don't know that I'm necessarily worried about getting cancer," she said. "I think it's always worrying about the next time I go in for the MRI. It's just the anticipation."

Rifkin said it was hard to see her sister vulnerable and in pain but she recovered well.

"I think she looks amazing," she said. "She's very active and she takes care of herself. Looking at her, you would never know."

Pinto said she feels fortunate that she could be tested when so many other diseases can't be prevented.

"I feel incredible," she said. "I feel complete. I feel fit and healthy. I don't feel like there's any part of me that's missing. I feel just like everyone else."